Humanistic Approach Flashcards
Give the 4 key assumptions of the humanistic approach
Key words: unique, free will, holistically, scientific method
- Every individual is unique and should be treated as such
- Individuals posses free will (choice and control)
- People should be viewed holistically
- The scientific method is NOT appropriate to measure behaviour (tries to be too objective and free from opinion and bias yet humans are subjective beings)
Define self actualisation
Self actualisation: the innate drive to achieve to full potential
Individuals self actualise in a way that is unique to them
Described as the ultimate feeling of satisfaction, well being and completeness.
Describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (include the five needs and examples)
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs emphasised the importance of personal growth, if the first needs are not met then the other needs cannot be fulfilled
They arise in order:
(Bottom to top)
1. Physiological e.g. breathing, sex, sleep
2. Safety e.g. security of health
3. Love/belonging e.g. friendship
4. Esteem e.g. confidence
5. Self actualisation e.g. moral, creativity
Define the two main selves (as defined by Carl Rogers)
The self concept/ perceived self: the self you feel you are, it is affected by self esteem
The ideal self: the self you wish to be
Carl Rogers said that to achieve self actualisation, it is necessary for a person to be congruent, how does an indivisible achieve congruence?
If the ideal self and perceived self are the same/ very similar
Explain the concept of ‘unconditional positive regard’
Carl Rogers believed that an important part of achieving congruence is ‘UPR’
An individual has to be loved for who they are and accepted without limitation by someone else e.g. parents
Define conditions of worth
Requirements that the individual feels they need to meet to be loved, these can either be real or perceived by the individual
How might ‘conditional positive regard’ (where someone feels like they have to meet requirements to be loved) affect an individuals ability to achieve self actualisation?
Someone’s ideal self is thereby determined by others based on these condition and they are forced to develop outsider of their own true actualising tendency; contributes to incongruence and a greater gap between the selves
In regards to therapy, what did Carl Rogers believe an individuals psychological problems were caused by
He believed an individuals psychological problems were a direct result of their conditions of worth and the conditional positive regard they receive from others
How should therapists act during client centered therapy
- Therapists act as ‘facilitators’ to hell people understand themselves and solve their own problems constructively
- Clients should feel comfortable and accepted to ensure feelings of unconditional love which leads to honesty and eventual congruence
Give strengths (2) and weaknesses (2) of the humanistic approach
Strengths: therapies developed from the approach which are effective, there is research to support the idea of conditions of worth e.g. Harter 1996
Weaknesses: the ideas of the approach are hard to test scientifically, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been criticised for being culture specific e.g. in China belongingness needs were seen as more important than physiological needs
Outline Harter’s research (conditions of worth)
He discovered that teenagers who feel that they have to fulfil certain conditions in order to gain their parents approval frequently end up not liking themselves, which heightens the chances of them developing depression
